What You Know That’s Wrong

May 27, 2008

One of my favorite “Grandma” sayings that apply to technology, and there are many, is that “it isn’t what you don’t know that will hurt you, but what you know that’s wrong.” While technology is new, people aren’t, and human nature traits Grandma learned still apply today.

Hence a nice article of “30 Tech Myths Debunked” from Read the rest of this entry »


Tech Support Costs vs Plumbing

May 21, 2008

People using technology like to complain about service and support prices. Let me tell you that tech support costs aren’t out of line with the rest of the world, based on the estimate for the two plumbers working to replace two faucets in my house at this very minute.

Replacing two faucets, which I already bought, will cost at least $408 and Read the rest of this entry »


Data Leaks from Inside Out

May 19, 2008

ComputerWorld had a great article last month about training employees not to give away company secrets. Read about stopping employees from leaking your personal data.

Almost always, employees don’t leak data on purpose. They just Read the rest of this entry »


Free Software Advantage #2

May 16, 2008

Don’t bother to look for a post called “Free Software Advantages #1” because there isn’t one. Free is the first advantage to free software (like these 157 programs from PC Magazine). Now we’re looking for other advantages, and #2 on that list follows my advice posted on Network World called “Task, Process, Tools.”

Why are many software utilities written? To solve a particular problem. My “Task, Process, Tools,” Read the rest of this entry »


Britannica Opens their Books to Bloggers

May 14, 2008

The gold standard for encyclopedias has been Britannica for about 100 years or so. But since they charge money for access, bloggers and casual researchers migrate to the free sites, most notably Wikipedia. Britannica decided they want to be the reference of choice on the internet, and now make that possible with their new WebShare initiative. Read the rest of this entry »


A Gaskin on Oprah

May 12, 2008

There will be a Gaskin featured on Oprah today, but unfortunately, not me. See adorable Lily Gaskin on Oprah’s show about the Smartest kids in America – here’s the blurb about her special talent. She’s 26 months old and can find any country on a world map. Read the rest of this entry »


Hackers Love Small Businesses

May 9, 2008

At least someone loves your small business, right? Too bad it’s a hacker.

So says Enterprise Security Today in their article “Small Business Means Big Business for Hackers.” If big businesses have problems, do small businesses have any hope? Read the rest of this entry »


75 Open Source Security Applications

May 5, 2008

Datamation just did a great roundup they call The Top 75 Open Source Security Apps. Five pages of applications include all areas of computer and network security utilities, from anti-virus to remote administration to password generation and many points in between.

Open Source doesn’t always mean free, but it appears Read the rest of this entry »